Denture-attaching device



J. ARKUS ET AL 1.720.587

DENTURE ATTACHING DEVICE July 9, 1929.

Filed April 12 1928 15 M516- A. Z3 I 1 l J3 Ill/l 7 .30 JZ I Z6 Z3 16 17 INVENTOR (1.4005 ARKUS SIMON ARKlI-S WITNESSES BY M 6 Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB ARKUS AND SIMON ARKUS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

DENTURE-ATTACHING DEVICE.

Application filed April 12,

This invention relates to an improved attaching and securing device for removable dentures, the object being to provide a simple and effective denture supporting means which will firmly hold the denture in place when the same is in use but will permit an easy removal thereof whenever desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a denture supporting structure which will be sanitary and easily kept clean and which substantially takes up automatically any wear on the interlocking parts.

A still further object of the invention, more specifically, is to provide a supporting structure for a denture wherein removable spring means are presented engaging oppositely facing side walls for resiliently and firmly clamping interlockin parts so as to resist accidental removal an so as to hold the clenture firmly in its correct position.

In the accompanying drawing,-

Figure 1 is a plan View of an embodiment of the invention, the same being shown applied and associated with several teeth in their natural position;

Figure 2 is a sectional view through Figure 1 approximately on the line 22;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through Figure 1 on the line 33;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a group of interlocking members disclosing the invention;

Figure 5 is a side view of the socket or similar member shown in Figure 4, the same being associated with a retaining spring;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the spring in its correct operative position.

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals, 1 and 2 indicate spaced teeth in their normal position, and 3 indicates a bridge carrying artificial teeth 4 and 5. A suitable saddle or keeper 6 is connected with bridge 3 to assist in holding the parts in proper place. Teeth 1 and 2 are provided with sockets 7 cemented or otherwise held in place, while the artificial teeth 4 and 5 are provided with studs 8 secured in place in any desired manner and positioned to slide into socket 7 when the parts are in operative position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Arranged in each of the sockets 7 is a spring 9 acting against the sockets and against the studs for resiliently holding the studs against removal, and also acting to hold the parts 1923. Serial No. 269,434.

firmly in correct position. As shown in Figure 4, socket 7 is provided with side walls 1.0 and 11, a back wall 12 and spaced front walls 13 and 14. An opening 15 is arranged between the walls 13 and 14, said opening merg ing into notches 16 and 17. The various walls merge into a bottom 13. The socket may be formed of one integral piece or may be constructed in any desired manner. Associated with this socket is spring 9 which is provided with a bottom connecting section 19 merging at 20 and 21 into the side spring plates 22 and adapted to rest at some point against the walls 10 and 11. An integral projection 24 is carried by a connecting section 19. Slits 25 and 26 are provided so that the ends 27 and 28 may flex whereby, when the spring is first inserted, the parts will take substantially the position shown in Figure 5, but when the spring is fully inserted, the ends 27 and 28 will snap into notches 16 and 17, while the lower ends of members 22 and 23 will bear against the Walls 10 and 11. The stud 8, as shown in Figure 4, is provided with a web 29 adapted to be cemented or otherwise secured to an artificial tooth. This Web merges into lateral-extending flanges 30 and 31 having contact surfaces 32 and 33 which bear against the spring plates 22 and 23 when the parts are in the position shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive. Preferably, the flanges 30 and 31 are round at the lower end so that the stud may be easily inserted into the socket between the plates 22 and 23 whereby the plates will grip or press against the surfaces 32 and 33 and hold the parts in correct position. In Figure 6 plates 22 and 23 are shown inclined an appreciable distance from the walls 10 and 11, but in actual practice this distance is very small indeed. lVhen the denture is in use it is removed from time to time for cleaning and this removal and replacing naturally produces certain wear on the respective part-s. lVhen the parts become loose spring 9 may be removed and a new one substituted, if desired, or if the looseness is not great, plates 22 and 23 are merely bent toward each other somewhat and thereby produce a better gripping action. Eventually, however, the friction will wear out the spring 9 and a new one must be provided, but this may be readily done and the time necessary for this operation is very small. Heretofore different devices have been provided for holding the stud in place, and when these difierent devices have become worn it has been necessary to remove the socket and put anew socket in its place. This removal of the socket is a very costly and inconvenient operation, whereas the removal of spring 9 and the supplying ot' a new spring is a very small operation taking on a few seconds. A bridge with two artificial teeth has been shown, but it is evident that the invention could be used with a single artificial tooth and could be used on both sides thereof or only on one side without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Vhat we claim is 1. In an attaching means for removable dentures, a clamping spring of flat material 't'ormed substantially U-shaped so as to present a pair of resiliently substantially parallel clamping plates, a connecting body at one end, and a projection extending from said connecting body at a substantially right angle to the plane of said clamping plates, said projection having resilient end portions.

2. In an attaching means for removable dentures, a substantially rectangular socket open at one end and formed with a slot extending from the open end to nearthe 0pposite end, said slot near said opposite endbeing provided with lateral portions presenting notches, and a spring member normally positioned in said socket, said spring member being substantially U-shaped so that the opposite legs will be arranged adjacent the inside portion of the side walls of the socket, said spring having a projection at the closed end provided with resilient portions adapted to fit into said notches whereby the spring is resiliently and yieldingly held in the socket.

3. An attaching means for the removal of dentures, comprising a stud having a large substantially rectangular head with bearing surfaces on each side, a substantially rectangular socket open at one end and formed with a slot extending from the open end to near the opposite end, said slot near said opposite end being provided with lateral per tions presenting notches, said socket being adapted to receive said head, and a U-shaped spring having a pair Off substantially flat side arms and a connecting body, said body having a projection fitting into said notches while gaid side arms press against the bearing suraces.

JACOB ARKUS'. SIMON ARKUS. 

